Rural mail box



Dec. 9, 1930 J. B. .JQHNsoN 1,784,44(

RURAL MAIL BOX Filed Feb. 25, 1928 l Mgvwanfor 7/ 57. Ja'mfa/ @5y/Z l Patented Dec. 193i) STATES JAJPEES B. J'OHNSON, OF POPLAR, MINNESOTA RURAL MAIL BOX Application filed February 25, 1928. Serial No. 256,936.

The present invention relates to an iuiproved mail box which is expressly designed for use in rural districts, the same being particularly adaptable for use where a group or a multiplicity of mail bones are supported in close proximity to each other, on a platform such as frequently seen in rural districts.

It is well known that under this arrangement of grouping mail bores, many of the u recipients ofthe mail are great distances from the platform. This naturally promotes tampering, sometimes by curious people seeking information, and in many instances, resulting in loss of mail.

Having observed these disadvantages from time to time, l have conceived of and evolved a bon which is characterized in one instance by a key controlled lock in order to prevent unscrupulous persons from obtaining access to the box unless provided with a. lYe-y.

Another feature of the invention is a rotary slotted drum or cylinder constructed for receiving the mail and rotatably mounted to permit it to be turned and to drop the mail into the bor: proper, whereby to conceal it from view.

find a further feature is a sectional hood composed of hingedly connected sections, hinged to the box and drum and constructed to accommodate and cover the drum.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

Figure 1 is a view with portions broken away to disclose the internal details.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section thru the improved mail boX.

Fig. 3 is an enlarg d fragmentary sectional view showing the hinge connection between the sectional hood and the drum.

ln carrying out the invention, l provide a substantially rectangular box e in the upper end of which the rotary mail receiving cylinder or drum 5 is disposed. The drum is piv oted to the upper extended portion of the end walls of the box as indicated at 6.

This drum, which is of horizontal elongated form, is provided on one side with a relatively wide mail slot 7. ln addition, it is provided with an internal resilient clip S for outgoing mail. Then, on the front side it is provided with a longitudinally disposed hinge knuckle 10 for passage of a hinge pin or pintle 9. The pin passes through the part 10 and through a pair of lugs 8 on the front section 11 or' a sectional hood or weather shield 12.

Incidentally, the hood embodies a similar section 13, these sections being of arcuate form to accommodate the protruding` upper half of the drum 5.v The section 13 is hinged as at 1i to the rear wall of the box e and the two sections are hingedly connecter. together as at 15. The front section 1l is formed with l an outstanding weather guard or iiange 16 having an appropriate handle 17.

@ne end wall of the box is formed with a hinged door 18, equipped with an appropriate pad lock 19. This permits the lawful owner to obtain access to the box.

On the front side of the box is a small coin receiver 20 having a. coil slot 21 and a slide valve plate 22 in its bottom. This is to accommodate the change deposited by the mail man or by the owner of the box for thev mail man. In addition, it will accommodate stamps, permitting the stamps to be easily removed and obviating the necessity of searching for these in the bottom of the bon proper.

In practice, the device is fastened to an appropriate supporting member or post in any convenient manner. il/*hen the hood is raised (see dotted lines), the drum is rotated through an appropriate half circle and the mail is deposited, whereupon the drum is turned over to occupy the position shown in Fig. 2, to conceal the mail that has been deposited.

The mailwill drop into the box proper, and by unlocking the lock 19, and opening the door 18, access can be had to the interior of the box.

The advantages and features of an invention of this class will be clear to persons familiarwith the art. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of parts coming within the field kil K of invention claimed may be resorted to if de- 'sir-ed. e o Y Havlng thus described iny invention, what Y Ifcl'annv as new 1s In amailvbox of the class described, a substantially rectangular opened top box provided at one endwith an entrance opening, a

f hinged door for said entrance opening, lock# v,ing means for said door, a liorizontallydis-k posed Cylindrical drum rotatably mounted in the upper'end portion o'f-thebomsaid dru'nr [being provided with a relatively large opening on one side thereof, and Said druin being); y

adapted toy receive inail for depositing the latter` Within said box, a bood vfor the open top lof said box, Said Yhood co1n] n'ising a pai r `ofhinged1y connected sectioned-arcuate formetioi'i rto correspond with the upperportion of the drum, one oi said Sections being hingedly connected to said box and the other el? said sections being hinged to Vthedruin for rotating the latter whereby said drinn may be actuated upon the raising and loweringorPA said'hood for receiving and discharging inail f mtosaidfbox whereof I aliix my signature.

In testimony y' JAMES B. JOHNSQN. 

